The helicopter, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, was
delivering humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat, the
U.S. military earthquake relief effort.

The helicopter was reported missing with six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese
service members aboard, JTF 505 officials said May 13.

Today at approximately 3:00 p.m. Japanese Standard Time a Nepalese search
team identified possible wreckage of a downed aircraft approximately eight
miles north of Charikot, Nepal.

Joint Task Force 505 dispatched a team of pararescuemen and a combat rescue
officer to assess the wreckage. At approximately 5:05 p.m. Japanese Standard
Time the team confirmed that the wreckage was that of the missing helicopter.

JTF 505 currently has a team of four pararescuemen and one combat rescue
officer on the ground. Two Hueys assigned to HMLA 469 and one MV-22 Osprey with
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 are operating in support of the survey.

The assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be
conducted.